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After their midweek victory over Newcastle University allowed Ryton to replace Shankhouse in pole position the new leaders followed up with a 4-0 win against Winlaton Hallgarth in a local derby at Kingsley Park.

After their midweek victory over Newcastle University allowed Ryton to replace Shankhouse in pole position the new leaders followed up with a 4-0 win against Winlaton Hallgarth in a local derby at Kingsley Park.

Ex-Winlaton striker Mark Drake did his former colleagues no favours and his two first half goals put Ryton in the driving seat. The home side's lead was increased on the hour by Kelvin Armstrong and Steve Blackett's goal completed the tally.

Shankhouse are only a point behind Ryton with a game in hand and they were also 4-0 victors away to Heaton Stannington to extend their 100 per cent start to the campaign. Heaton trailed to goals by Graeme Craggs (2) and Steve Thornton at the interval and never recovered. Iain Cavanagh then marked his return from a long injury absence by coming on as substitute to claim Shankhouse's fourth goal.

On a day of high scores third-placed Carlisle City were in lethal mood and hammered struggling visitors Spittal Rovers 9-0. There were two hat-tricks claimed by City's Rob Anderton and Mike Hodgson and after being four up at half-time the Cumbrians also had Graeme Lupton (2) and Peter Osgood on target.

Bottom-rung side Murton were also on the receiving end and were soundly beaten 6-0 by hosts Walker Central who scored three times in each half. Paul Hollier helped himself to a hat-trick for Walker, Mark Winton bagged a brace and their other marksman was Ian Mills.

After beating Murton 1-0 in midweek Team Northumbria continued in winning vein by beating Ponteland United 4-0 at Bullocksteads. Finding the net in the first half were Stephen Cowen and Paul Anthony and after the break Matt Pickover and Paul Dixon were on the mark.

Heddon, boasting four clean sheets from five outings so far, overtook Northbank to claim fourth place with Chris Bone's goal earning them a 1-0 verdict at home to the Cumbrians. But Percy Main suffered their first defeat in going down 3-1 against Harraby Catholic Club at Purvis Park. Guiseppe Amato fired Harraby into an interval lead which was doubled on the hour by Mike Reed. And Kyle Armstrong slotted in Harraby's third goal before Dean Porter managed a late reply for the Main.

Newcastle University secured their first point from the 1-1 home draw with Seaton Delaval who opened the scoring through Joe Kennedy in the opening half.

Paddy Creedon ensured that the spoils were shared and scored his equaliser for the Students with 15 minutes to go.